171 results found for "balance"
It is important to understand what congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH) is before the nature of 11 beta hydroxylase deficiency can be fully explained. CAH refers to any one of the many autosomal recessive illnesses that result from flaws in cortisol synthesis steps done by the adrenal glands. All of the types of CAH have either overproduction or malfunctioning of sex steroids. 11 beta hydroxylase deficiency is just one of the types of CAH and is a result of mutation in the gene called CYP11B1. This type is next only to 21-hydroxylase deficiency when it comes to its prevalence, comprising only 5-8% of the entire number of cases. [read more]
The hormones estrogen and androgen play critical roles in the development of sexual organs. 17?-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase isozyme (17?-HSD) acts as a catalyst between the biologically inactive and active types of hormones. Any deviation from this normal process results into various abnormal conditions. [read more]
1p36 deletion syndrome also known as monosomy 1p36 is a disorder of the chromosomes in which chromosome 1 loses the end part of its short arm. This disorder was first depicted during the late 90's and the early parts of 2000's. FISH testing is often required to be able to confirm a diagnosis. This condition can occur as a ?pure' case or it can occur together with other imbalances of the chromosome. [read more]
Acne vulgaris or just acne is a common skin disease which is caused by changes on the pilosebaceous units (structures of the skin which consist of sebaceous gland and a hair follicle). The severe cases of acne are often inflamed but it can also show up as non-inflamed. Lesions are common and they are called spots, zits or pimples. This condition is common during the stage of puberty (affecting about 85% of teeners) while some cases carry on to adulthood. Most acne cases diminish and then disappear over time and this begins during the early twenties of an individual's life. There are no means of predicting when the disease will totally disappear because some cases continue even when the person is already in his thirties or forties. Acne is an altered form of the Greek word akun (or skin eruption). The vernacular name bakne or bacne is used often to specify acne that is found at the back of a person. [read more]
Acoustic neuroma also known as a vestibular schwannoma is a primary intracranial tumor that is benign. This is a tumor of the cells that form myelin of the CN VIII or vestibulocochlear nerve. Neuroma is a derivation of a Greek word which means ?tumor of the nerve'. The name ?acoustic' is a misnomer because the tumor hardly occurs from the cochlear or acoustic part of the vestibulocochlear nerve. The precise medical name is vestibular schwannoma. This is because it engages the vestibular part of the eighth cranial nerve and it occurs from schwann cells (the cells that are responsible for the peripheral nervous system myelin sheath). [read more]
Acoustic neuroma is a medical condition that is characterized by the growth of a tumor that usually develops in nerves near the ear. is a benign, usually slow-growing tumor that develops from certain nerves in the inner ear. No one knows exactly what causes acoustic neuroma. As an acoustic neuroma develops, it presses against the nerves related to balance and hearing, causing early symptoms such as: one-sided or high-tone hearing loss, ringing in the ear, dizziness, and problems with balance. Once a diagnosis of acustic neuroma is made, the doctor can describe the available treatment options. [read more]
Acrophobia is derived from the Greek word ?akpoc' which means ?summit'. This phobia is described as the irrational dread of high places. This belongs to a certain category of phobias which are called motion and space discomfort (these two share like etiology and choices of treatment). This phobia could become very dangerous because those who suffer from it could experience attacks of panic when on a high place. As a result, they could become so agitated and they would have troubles getting themselves down to the ground safely. Vertigo is often associated or link with acrophobia and it is sometimes misconstrued as the phobia itself. The former is a feeling of nausea which is correctly described as a sensation of being spun. Vertigo can be caused by acrophobia when the person gets to a high place and then experience nausea. This type of vertigo that is triggered by heights is referred to as height vertigo. [read more]
ACTH deficiency or isolated adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency is a disorder which arises from a decrease or absence of the production of adrenocorticotropic hormone (also known as ACTH hormone). The pituitary gland is the one which produces this hormone. A decrease on the concentration of adrenocorticotropic in a person's blood would lead to reduced adrenal hormone secretions. This reduction of secretion of adrenal hormones could result into hypoadrenalism or adrenal deficiency. Adrenal insufficiency would then lead to loss of weight, a lack of appetite or anorexia nervosa (which is also a psychological disorder), nausea, weakness, vomiting, and hypotension or low blood pressure. Other uncommon symptoms include the lack or absence of pubic hair in some female patients; the lack or absence armpit hairs; having pale skin. These symptoms can be so general that is why proper diagnosis is often totally missed or delayed. For this reason, some physicians tend to believe that the disorder could be more common than had been previously thought. [read more]
Acute renal failure is more popularly known as acute kidney failure or injury, and is characterized by the rapid loss of renal utility that causes serious damage to the kidney. Depending on the durationg and the extent of the condition, the accumulation may also be accompanied with metabolic disturbances such as acidification of the blood, fluid balance changes and elevated postassium levels. This is a serious medical condition that requires immediate medical attention. [read more]
ACY2 deficiency is a genetic disorder that features a spongy degeneration of the central nervous system. The signs that indicate the onset of the disease begin at infancy, usually characterized by progressive mental decline and rapid loss of head control, balance and coordination. Patients with the disease have an abnormally large head due to swelling. This disease is caused by an abnormal mutation in the ASPA gene that makes the cells unable to produce an important enzyme for brain and muscle development, aspartocylase. [read more]
Adrenal adenomas are categorized as benign or a non-cancerous form of tumour of the adrenal gland. It can arise from the gland's outer layer or what is known as as the adrebal cortez. Ig the adenoma produces hormones, it is considered as a functioning adenoma and non-functioning for adenomas that do not produce hormones. [read more]
Adult Schizophrenia is considered to be one of the most complex of all identified mental health disorders. It is characterized by a severe and chronic, often disabling disturbance of the person's brain that causes distorted thinking, unusual strange feelings and disturbed behavior and use of language. [read more]
Primary aldosteronism is a medical condition, where the adrenal glands of the body produce too much of the aldosterone hormone, which causes the body lose potassium and retain sodium. In general, sodium and potassium work together to aid in maintaining the right balance of fluids in the human body, help in transmitting nerve impulses, as well as contract and relax the muscles. However, the excess in aldosterone results to sodium retention, retaining excess water and the increase of blood pressure and blood volume. [read more]
Alien hand syndrome , also identified as Dr. Strangelove syndrome and anarchic hand is an very unusual neurological disorder, characterized by the apparent loss of control of one's hand, and the sufferer's hand appears to have a mind of its own. [read more]
Alkalosis is a condition when there is a fleuid and electrolytes imbalance. In this case the base or also called alkali is in higher level. Its opposite is acidosis, which is the acid level of our body, is abnormally high. [read more]
Alopecia is the medical description for loss of hair from the body or head that sometimes lead to baldness, often unwelcome and unwanted. However, there are some individuals who display some psychological compulsion to forcibly pull out own hair. In some cases, hair loss can also present an underlying case for other medical concern such as iron deficiency. [read more]
Alternating hemiplegia of childhoon or ?AHC? is a rare genetic disease that causes progressive mental retardation and intermittent paralysis, which starts during childhood. [read more]
Ambiguous genitalia is a very rare medical condition in which the external genitals of the newborn do not clearly appear if it's a male or female usually because it is not properly formed. This may cause serious social stigma and question to the baby's gender. In most cases, it is important to wait to determine to true gender of the child. [read more]
Angelman syndrome is a hereditary disorder that causes developmental disabilities and neurological problems, such as balancing and walking, and difficulty speaking. Regular smiles and outbursts of laughter are common for people with Angelman syndrome, and many have happy, excitable personalities. [read more]
Anorexia nervosa is a psychiatric disorder that describes an eating disorder, which is characterized by body image distortion and low body weight due to an obsessive fear of becoming fat or gaining weight. People with anorexia nervosa usually control their body weight by voluntary vomiting, purging, starving, extreme exercise and other weight control measures, such as taking diuretic drugs and diet pills. It usually affects adolescent females and only 10% of anorexia nervosa patients are male. Anorexia nervosa is an extremely complex disorder, involving neurobiological, sociological and psychological components. [read more]
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea typically occurs when the natural balance of bad and good bacteria in the intestinal tract is disturbed. This causes the harmful bacteria to proliferate resulting to frequent bowel movements. Often, it is mild and can clears up after several days or less. [read more]
A hereditary disorder, that causes high level of arginine in the blood. Death is the result for total deficiency while partial deficiency causes hyperammonemia, metabolic alkalosis, convulsions, hepatomegaly, mental retardation and failure to grow. [read more]
Arthrogryposis also referred to as Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita, an unusual hereditary disorder that results to multiple joint contractures and is distinguished by weakness of the muscle and fibrosis. It is a not a progressive disease. The ailment obtains its name from Greek, exactly meaning ?bent or curved joints'. There are several identified subgroups of AMC, with varying signs, symptoms, causes and the like. In several cases, a small number of joints might be affected and the variety of movement might be just about normal. In the majority type of arthrogryposis, hands, wrists, elbows, shoulders, hips, feet and knees are affected. In the majority rigorous types, almost each joint is involved, as well as the jaw and back. Normally, the contractures are accompanied by muscle weakness that adds limitation to movement. AMC is normally balanced and entails each four extremities with a number of dissimilarity seen. [read more]
Astrocytoma is a major intracranial lumps resulting from astrocyte cells of the brain. In the the cerebral hemispheres, in the optic nerve, in the posterior fossa and seldom in the spinal cord is where it may appear. The WHO provided a four point level basing in the histological grade of the lump. [read more]
Athetosis is a nonstop flow of sinuous, slow, writhing movements, usually of the hands and feet. Movements that are cause by athetosis are mainly referred to as athetoid movements. It was said that due to the damage to the corpus striatum of the brain and a cut to the motor thalamus that is why Athetosis happens. [read more]
Atonic seizures, also known as drop attacks or akinetic seizures, are a minor kind of seizure. These seizures are characterized by brief lapses in muscle tone that last for up to 15 seconds and can cause no damage. However, the sudden loss of muscle control may lead to falling or loss of balance. It can be diagnosed by electroencephalography, and doesn't need treatment until injuries occur. [read more]
Atrial Fibrillation is an abnormal rhythm of the heart characterized by quivering instead of normal beating. This decreases the efficiency of the heart to move blood increasing the incidence of stroke because of the formation of blood clots in the heart. [read more]
Autoimmune peripheral neuropathy is a term for the nerves of the secondary nervous system being damaged that can result from either diseases of the nerve or from the systemic illness side-effects. Secondary neuropathies differ in their presentation and origin and can affect the neuromuscular or nerve junction. [read more]
Bacterial gastroenteritis is a disease caused by a bacterial toxin or bacterial infection, the most usual agent being salmonella, campylobacter and shigella. About 50% reposrted cases of gastroenteritis as food borne illness are because of norovirus and 20% are severe cases occurred in children because of rotavirus. The third major viral agent is the astrovirus. [read more]
Bacterial Vaginosis Is a type of vaginitis resulting to overgrowth of organisms present in the vagina, which upsets the natural balance of bacteria in the vagina. Bacterial vaginitis can be present in many pregnant women without even knowing that they have it. Sometimes bacterial vaginitis in early stages is often asymptomatic. [read more]
Balance disorders are impairments or complete loss of muscle coordination. A common balance disorder is ataxia, in which involuntary trembling of some parts of the body take place during voluntary motion. This becomes a hindrance in performing precise movements. Balance disorders are a symptom of different defects in the muscular as well as the central nervous system. [read more]
BDD or body dysmorphic disorder is a condition wherein the affected individual is excessively fixated or preoccupied with real or imagined defects in his/her physical appearance. [read more]
Bed-wetting is a developmental phase wherein an infant or child is unable to retain bladder control at nighttime. It is also sometimes called nocturnal enuresis or nighttime incontinence. [read more]
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), also known as benign paroxysmal vertigo (BPV), is a condition caused by problems in the inner ear. [read more]
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a kind of dizziness that affects one's sense of balance. It is caused by the accumulation of the particles of the inner ear that tug on to hairlike sensors that help coordinate the person in maintaining steady balance. It can be treated by clearing out the particles and position them back in their places via surgery. [read more]
Bhaskar Jagannathan syndrome is an extremely rare genetic disorder that is characterized by the clustering of features like aminoaciduria, arachnodactyly, cerebellar ataxia, congenital cataracts, and delayed developmental milestones. It is a very rare syndrome characterized primarily by long, thin fingers, cataracts that form during infancy, amino acids in the urine, incoordination and delayed development. When the affected person was first reported, the author raised the question if it could be a new cerebro-oculo-renal syndrome. [read more]
Biotinidase Deficiency (BIOT) is the result of the lack of an enzyme called biotinidase. Without treatment, this disorder can cause seizures, developmental delay, eczema, and hearing loss. [read more]
Brain attack is a type of stroke that occurs from a drastic shortage of blood supply in the brain. Brain cells will commonly die in a matter of minutes. A brain attack is more commonly referred to as a stroke. [read more]
Breast pain is a common complaint of discomfort among women, affecting approximately seventy percent of females at some point in their lives. Breast pain, also known as mastalgia, is more common in the younger age bracket, particularly among pre-menopausal women, although it may afflict older females as well. [read more]
Bulimia nervosa, more commonly known as bulimia or "mia", is an eating disorder in which the subject engages in recurrent binge eating followed by feelings of guilt, depression, and self-condemnation. The sufferer will then take part in compensatory behaviors to make up for the excessive eating, which are referred to as "purging". Purging can take the form of fasting, vomiting, using of laxatives, enemas, diuretics or other medications, or overexercising. [read more]
Burning mouth syndrome is a rather complex and highly vexing oral condition characterized by a burning sensation that occurs involving the lips, tongue, or the major areas of the whole mouth, for no apparent reason.This disorder has been associated with several numbers of other conditions such as psychological problems, menopause, disorders of the mouth, and nutritional deficiencies. [read more]
Canavan Disease (also know as ACY2 deficiency) is a rare genetic defect that characterizes a spongy deterioration of the brain and spinal cord. The symptoms that indicate the spread of the disease develop at infancy, usually beginning with progressive mental decline and rapid loss of head control, balance and muscle tone. Affected infants have an abnormally large head caused by swelling. This disease is caused by an abnormality found in the ASPA gene that stops the cells from producing aspartocytase, an enzyme important in brain development. [read more]
Central diabetes insipidus is the body's deficiency of the antidiuretic hormone, causing too much production of extremely dilute urine. It is uncommon, and involves intense thirst and over urination. The condition indicates the kidney's inability to balance urine concentration. [read more]
Cerebellar hypoplasia is a condition which affects the development of the cerebellum. The developmental problem actually results in an underdeveloped cerebellum, smaller than usual in size. Cerebellar hypoplasia may result because of genetics, or can also occur sporadically. The condition is associated with other diseases such as the Walker-Warborg syndrome, Dandy Walker Syndrome, and the Werdnig-Hoffman Syndrome. [read more]
Cerebral cavernous malformation, sometimes known as cavernous angioma, is a disease that affects the central nervous system. The disease may occur sporadically or may be inherited. When one has the disease, there are groups of abnormal blood vessels located in the brain and spinal cord, although in rare cases they are also located in other parts of the body. A cerebral cavernous malformation resembles a raspberry, although it varies in size. The small bubbles are filled with blood, and a special layer of cells called endothelium lines the bubbles. [read more]
Cerebral thrombosis is defined as blood clot that takes place in the cerebral vessel. It is more commonly known as stroke or Transient Ischemic Attack or TIA. TIA is a ?mini? or ?warning? stroke, but doesn't have lasting damage. There are strokes that damage part of one's brain, and some have permanent injury. TIA is important in foreseeing if a ?stroke? will happen and the chance to prevent it. They may occur several days, some weeks, or even a few months prior to a major cerebral thrombosis attack. In approximately half of the cases, stroke happens within a year from TIA. [read more]
Chromosome 15q trisomy is genetic disorder wherein the end of the long arm of chromosome 15 (15q) appears thrice instead of only twice in the body cells. This results to growth delays either before or after birth as well as mental retardation and malformations in the head and face. Other abnormalities are a short neck, disfigured fingers or toes, scoliosis and other skeletal malformations. Males with this condition suffer from genital problems, and cardiac illnesses. In most cases, Chromosome 15q trisomy is a result of a translocation of chromosome balance in one of the parents. [read more]
A chronic hiccup is a condition where a person experiences hiccups for an abnormally long period of time. A hiccup is an involuntary spasm made by diaphragm. It may occur several times a minute, but it resolves by itself after some time. It is caused by the sudden rush of air to the epiglottis, causing it to close. Hiccups may occur due to some activities like laughing too hard, drinking too much alcohol and eating spicy food. They are usually treated by drinking a glass of water until the spasm subsides. Chronic hiccups meanwhile last from weeks to months and even years for some cases. [read more]
Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis is an autoimmune disorder that results when the body's immune system inappropriately attacks the thyroid gland. This causes damage to your thyroid cells and upsets the balance of chemical reactions in the body. The condition is also known as hashimoto's disease [read more]
Cogan syndrome is defined as a rheumatic disease that may lead to hearing loss, dizziness, and vision difficulty. The syndrome can also be linked to blood-vessel swelling in other parts of the body; this may cause damage of major organs and even death. [read more]
Concussion is a condition that interferes with how the brain works affecting a person's memory, speech, judgment, balance, and coordination. [read more]
Congenital microvillus atrophy is identified to be one of the leading causes of secretory diarrhea during the infant's first weeks of life. A The medical term microvillus atrophy was initially used to categorize the disease way back in 1982. The typical clinical presentation of congenital microvillus atrophy includes the profuse watery secretory diarrhea that usually starts in the first few hours of life. [read more]
Conn's syndrome is an infection of the adrenal glands, wherein there is too much ?aldosterone' hormone secretion. The hormone is responsible for regulation of chief bodily functions, for instance blood pressure, correct electrolyte balance, and secondary water retention. The excessive secretion increases potassium loss and raises sodium re-absorption. The condition is also known as primary hyperaldosteronism. [read more]
Constitutional growth delay or CGD is used to define the temporary delay in growth of the skeletal system, resulting to pubertal delay and short stature. Children with CGD have normal birth length and weight, but at one point of their growing years, there is a slow down in development. Some teens have normal growth rate as younger kids, but lag behind and do not begin pubertal development and growth spurt like most teens. Individuals with CGD are often referred to as ?late bloomers?. [read more]
Conversion disorder is defined as a psychiatric disorder wherein people convey emotional distress through ?physical' manifestations and symptoms. The symptoms appear involuntarily, while medical examination doesn't explain any clear-defined root of the dysfunction. [read more]
Corticobasal degeneration (CBD) is an incurable neurological disorder that manifests itself through muscle rigidity and speech problems. Symptoms usually begin surfacing when patients reach 60 years old, affecting one side of the body and eventually progressing to both sides in 6 to 8 years. It may affect speech first before interfering with muscle movement. [read more]
The fatal and rare denerative brain disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD) is caused by proteins called prions that multiply exponentially by refolding native proteins to infected state. Disrupting cell function, CJD results to cell death, rapid and progressive dementia, loss of memory, hallucinations and behavioral changes. Death can occur in as little as four months after the onset of the first symptoms. [read more]
Cri du chat syndrome is a genetic abnormality caused by the partial deletion of the chromosome number 5. Its name is French for cry or call of the cat in reference to the meowing sound the infant makes when crying, a manifestation of the infant's larynx and nervous system problems. [read more]
Cystinosis is categorized as an inherited disorder that affects chromosome 17, under which the amino acid cystine is not properly transported out of the patient's body cells. This would cause organ and tissue all damage throughout the body and may begin to manifest at any age, affecting both male and female. This mutated gene CTNS is an autosomal recessive, which means both parents are carrier of this gene resulting to the child to inherit to defective gene copies. [read more]
Degenerative nerve disease, also known as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, is a progressive fatal illness that affects the motor neurons that control the body's skeletal muscles. It is characterized by paralysis and weakening of the voluntary muscles. It is also known as Lou Gehrig's disease. [read more]
Discoid Lupus Erythematosus or Systemic Lupus Erythamatosus is a systemic disorder cause by autoimmune response of the body. The immune system fights against own body cells that leads to inflammation of the tissues that affects different parts of the body. It occurs in unexpected times, this period is called "flares". [read more]
One of the most common reasons why older adults visit their doctors is due to dizziness. Your brain processes a variety of information from your nervous system, your eyes and your inner ears, keeping your sense of balance. But if the brain can't process signals from all of these locations, or if your sensory systems aren't functioning properly, or if the messages are contradictory, then you may experience dizziness and loss of balance. [read more]
Dropsy refers to the inflammation of the tissues due to accumulation of excess fluids. This condition is more popularly known as edema. [read more]
Dysmetabolic syndrome is a group of metabolic disorders in the blood serum that increases one's risk of heart disease. It is characterized by abnormal uric acid levels, factor imbalance and vascular problems. [read more]
Dysthymia is more popularly known as depression , which can conjure up a number of meanings ? from simple passing moods of discouragement or sadness of a deeper condition of some inconsolable misery that can even be accompanied with suicidal thoughts. Dysthymia is regarded as a serious clinical disorder as it is known a condition that could interfere the patient's social and family life, work and even physical health. [read more]
Dystonia is categorized as type of a neurological movement disorder characterized by sustained contractions of the muscle that causes some repetitive movements, twisting or abnormal postures. The type disorder may be genetic or may also be caused by some other factors such as physical trauma, birth-related, poisoning, infection or some sort of reaction to certain drugs. [read more]
The inability of a man to maintain a firm erection long enough to have sex is called erectile dysfunction (ED). The condition is more common among older men but can occur at any age. Though the condition may not really be cause for concern from time to time, it can cause stress, relationship problems, and may affect self-esteem. [read more]
Encephalomyelitis, Myalgic is an inflammatory, chronic, mainly neurological disorder that's multisystematic and affects the body's immune system, cardiovascular system, muscoskeletal system, endocrinological system, and central nervous system or CNS. In every case of myalgic encephalomyelitis, there is an extent of disability and impaired mobility. The impairment level and complexity will depend on the level of brain injury and involvement of the end organ. [read more]
Endocrinopathy is a disorder associated with an endocrine gland. It is also often known as a hormone imbalance. It is a collective term for diseases in the endocrine glands associated with hormones [read more]
Also known as bed-wetting, nocturnal enuresis of nighttime incontinence is a developmental stage and is not a sign of toilet training gone bad. Primary enuresis is the term for children who have never been dry at night. Those who begin to wet the bed after at least six months of dry nights are considered to have secondary enuresis. [read more]
Ependymoblastoma is a malignant tumor which is very rarely reported. It is also known as Primitive neuroectodermal tumor or PNET. It usually occurs in children who are under 10 years of age. Ependyoblastoma is classified into two types which is based on its location in the body. It can be peripheral PNET or CNS PNET. [read more]
Ependymoma is a tumor that usually arises from the ependyma. Ependyma a tissue located in the central nervous system. Most of the time, the location of the tumor in children is in the intracranial, while the location of the tumor is in the spinal in the case of adults. The most common location of the intracranial ependymoma is in the fourth ventricle. It is only very rarely that ependymoma occurs in the pelvis or in the pelvic cavity. It is believed that Ependyomoma may have cause Syringomyelia. These tumors are also seen with Type 2 Neurofibromatosis. [read more]
Epilepsy is a very common chronic neurological condition characterized by a recurrent seizure which is usally.The unprovoked seizures are transient signs or symptoms brought about by synchronous, abnormal, or excessive activities of the neurons in the patient's brain.There are about 50 million people around the world who suffer epilepsy at an any given time. Not all of epilepsy syndrome cases occur in a lifetime. Some forms of this disorder are only confined to some certain stages of childhood. Epilepsy, however, should not be considered or interpreted as a single disorder, rather occur as a group of syndromes with widely divergent symptoms which are all involving an episodic, abnormal electrical activity in the brain. [read more]
Familial adenomatous polyposis is a common genetic disorder that can lead to cancer of the colon if it is left undetected. Affected individuals develop countless ?adenomatous colorectal polyps' in the rectum or colon, particularly during their teenage years and twenties. The polyps aren't cancerous, but due to their numerous quantities, there's greater chance that a number will go through mutation and trigger cancer development. [read more]
Frontotemporal dementia is a general umbrella medical term to a diverse group of rare disorders that primarily affects the temporal and frontal lobes of the brain. These are the areas that are generally associated with individual personality and behavior. It usually affects the younger people and are known to undergo very rapid changes in the personality and usually become socially inappropriate. [read more]
Acute liver failure (or fulminant liver failure) is the appearance of severe complications rapidly after the first signs of liver disease (such as jaundice), and indicates that the liver has sustained severe damage (loss of function of 80-90% of liver cells). [read more]
Galactorrhea is otherwise known as the spontaneous discharge of milk unrelated to pregnancy or nursing. It is defined by Contemporary Maternal-Newborn Nursing Care as ?nipple discharge?. [read more]
Gastric erosion is the inflammation of the stomach lining. It is a minor ulcer in the innermost part of the stomach. When left untreated, it becomes a gastric ulcer. [read more]
Gender identity disorder is a mental illness in which a person shifts from his/her physiological gender identity to that of the opposite sex. [read more]
Glucagonoma is a tumor affecting the pancreas' alpha cells, causing extreme surplus production of the hormones insulin and glucagons. The malignant and fast-spreading nature of the disease affects these alpha cells, causing the overproduction of hormones. [read more]
Glue ear is a medical condition where the middle ear is filled up with glue-like fluid rather than air. Because of this blockage hearing difficulties are experienced. [read more]
Glycosuria otherwise known as glucosuria is an osmotic diuresis due to excretion of too much glucose by the kidneys. [read more]
A grand mal seizure (also called tonic-clonic seizure) features a loss of consciousness and violent muscle contractions. This is the type of seizure most people picture when they think about seizures in general. [read more]
Constitutional growth delay is a condition wherein skeletal growth is delayed. It is the most common origin of pubertal delay and short stature. The condition affects children and teens, although they have no other physical abnormality except short stature. It occurs in both girls and boys although more frequently in boys. [read more]
Also called as Gulf War Illness this is an illness reported by combat veterans of the 1991 Persian Gulf War typified by symptoms including immune system disorders and birth defects. It has not always been clear whether these symptoms were related to Gulf War service of the occurrence if illness in Gulf War veterans in higher than comparable populations. [read more]
Headache-free migraine is a condition where a patient experiences the pains of migraine attacks but with no headaches. Among the symptoms include blurry vision, nausea, constipation, loss of balance and vomiting. Headache-free migraine also occurs with fever, muscle weakness and body pain. [read more]
Hemangioblastoma is a disease of the central nervous system characterized by benign brain tumors, usually occurring in the cerebellum. The tumors represent cysts, and contain small solid nodules inside. The small nodules contain abnormal blood vessels in a tangle. Hemangioblastomas are most commonly occurring in those ranging from 35 to 45 years old. [read more]
Hemimegalencephaly otherwise known as unilateral megancephaly is a medical condition that is characterized by the enlargement or abnormal growth of one-half of the brain. [read more]
Hemmorhagic fever belongs to a group of viral hemmorhagic fevers (VHFs), which are human and animal diseases caused by any four RNA families: Filoviridae, Arenaviridae, Flaviviridae, and Bunyaviridae. [read more]
Hemochromatosis is a hereditary disease characterized by excessive absorption of dietary iron resulting in a pathologic increase on total body iron stores. Human, like virtually all animals, have no means to excrete excess iron. Excess iron accumulates in tissues and organs disrupting their normal function. [read more]
Hydronephrosis is swelling (dilation) of the urine-collecting structures of one or both kidneys because of the obstruction of urine flow from the kidney. This can hinder kidney function. Hydronephrosis is not a specific disease, but a sign of an underlying problem. [read more]
Hyperkalemic renal tubular acidosis (HRTA) is a class of defects wherein hydrogen ion excretion is impaired, causing a chronic metabolic acidosis. Hyperchloremia is often present in this condition, and other electrolytes such as Ca and K are frequently deranged. [read more]
Hyperreflexia is a medical condition characterized by overresponsive or overactive reflexes, such as twitching and spastic tendencies. Hyperreflexia, which is more of a symptom than a disease, is usually indicative of a disorder of the upper motor neurons as well as disinhibition or a decrease or loss of control in the higher brain centers. [read more]
Hypertropia is characterized by the misalignment of the eyes, in which the visual axis of one eye is higher than the other. It is similar to hypotropia, wherein focus of the eye with the visual axis is lower than the fellow fixating eye. [read more]
Hypochondria sometimes referred to as health phobia) refers to an excessive preoccupation or worry about having a serious illness. Usually, hypochondria persists even after a physician has evaluated a person and reassured him/her that his/her concerns about symptoms do not have an underlying medical basis or, if there is a medical illness, the concerns are far in excess of what is appropriate for the level of disease [read more]
Hypohydration (or dehydration) is the removal of water from an object. Medically, it is a condition in which the body contains an inadequate volume of water for normal functioning. [read more]
Hypothalamic dysfunction is a condition that involves the hypothalamus, a region in the brain that helps control the pituitary glands especially in responding to stress. The hypothalamus gland helps in the regulation if appetite and weight, balance of salt and water in the body, body temperature as well as emotions. Childbirth, growth, sleep and milk production are also regulated by the hypothalamus. The thyroid, ovaries, adrenal glands and testes are all controlled in turn by the pituitary gland. [read more]
Hypotropia is a condition misalignment of eyes characterized by having the visual axis lower than the fellow fixating eye. A similar but opposite condition is called hypertrophy. [read more]
Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) is a condition characterized by a side curvature of the spine, either to the left or to the right. AIS can occur in individuals from 10 years of age until maturity. It is called idiopathic because the cause of the curvature is still unknown. Genes are suspected for playing a big part in this condition. [read more]
Sporadic inclusion body myositis (acronym: sIBM) is a rare condition marked by gradually progressive wasting and weakness of the proximal and distal muscles. This inflammatory muscle disease is most evident in the muscles of the legs and arms. Two progressive processes, one degenerative and the other autoimmune, seem to occur simultaneously in the muscle cells. In the autoimmune aspect, the T cells are cloned, seemingly driven by certain antigens to invade the fibers of the muscles. In the degeneration aspect, holes (vacuoles) appear in the muscle, with amyloid-related protein deposits and abnormal filamentous inclusions appearing in the cells. [read more]
Joubert syndrome is a genetic disorder that is very rare. This disorder affects the brain areas which control coordination and balance. It was first identified by a pediatric neurologist named Marie Joubert from Montreal in Canada. The physician was then working with McGill Neurological Institute. [read more]
Schizophrenia is one of the most complex of all psychological health disorders. It is a severe, chronic, and disabling disturbance of the brain that leads to distorted thinking, strange feelings, and unusual behavior and use of language and words. [read more]
Labyrinthitis is a disorder associated with maintaining balance. The condition is an inflammatory process affecting the labyrinths (a part of the auditory system) that accommodates the vestibular system in the inner ear. The vestibular system is that part of the ear responsible for sensing head position changes. [read more]
Lactic acidosis is a condition formed by the excess amounts of lactic acid in the body. This buildup causes loss of balance and coordination, shortness of breath and may lead to other complications such as diabetes and liver disease. Among the symptoms of lactic acidosis are rapid breathing and abdominal pain. Lactic acidosis may occur due to IV infections as well as dysfunctional mitochondrial functions. [read more]
The brain and eyes work together to produce sight. If the brain favors one eye ? often due to poor vision in the other eye ? the weaker eye tends to wander inward or outward. Gradually, the brain may ignore the signals received from the weaker eye. This condition is called lazy eye (or also known as amblyopia). [read more]
Leptospirosis is a bacterial disease that results to the enlargement of the spleen, nephritis and jaundice. [read more]
Listeria infection, also referred to as listeriosis, is a relatively rare bacterial infection that results from Listeria monocytogenes, a type of gram-positive motile bacterium. Listeria infection commonly affects newborn infants, elderly patients, and individuals with immuno deficiencies. [read more]
Kidney stones (also called renal lithiasis) are small, hard deposits of mineral and acid salts on the inner surfaces of the kidneys. [read more]
By definition, this disease was named named after the French physician Prosper M?ni?re, who was the first to make a report in an 1861 article that vertigo was caused by inner ear. Today, M?ni?re's disease is recognized as a disorder of the inner ear that can affect both hearing and balance [read more]
Mal de barquement Syndrome or MdDs or Disembarkment syndrome is a rare condition which usually occur after a sustained motion even like cruise or aircraft flight. The phrase means ?sickness of disembarkation?. [read more]
Malonic aciduria is a rare genetic condition marked by a deficiency of the enzyme Malonyl-CoA decarboxylase bringing about impairment in the body's ability to convert fatty acids into energy, which can be used by muscles like muscles in the heart. Because of this occurrence, fatty acids tend to accumulate in the body since they are not metabolized. The deficiency in Malonyl-CoA decarboxylase interrupts the normal balance of fatty acid breakdown and formation. This condition is also known as Malonyl-CoA decarboxylase deficiency. [read more]
Marinesco-Sjogren syndrome is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, which causes the destruction of the exocrine glands that is responsible for tear and saliva production. [read more]
is an abnormally heavy and prolonged menstrual period at regular intervals. Causes could be due to abnormal blood clotting, disruption of normal hormonal regulation of periods or disorders of the endometrial lining of the uterus. Depending on the cause, it may be associated with abnormally painful periods (dysmenorrhea). [read more]
A migraine can be disabling with symptoms so severe, all you think about is finding a dark, quiet place to lie down. Up to 17 percent of women and 6 percent of men are experiencing migraine. [read more]
Mitochondrial disorders are disorders that affect the skeletal muscles as well as the heart muscles causing problems in the body's organs such as the nervous system, visual system, renal system and, digestive and circulatory systems. [read more]
Motion sickness (also known as car sickness, sea sickness, air sickness) occurs when two "motion messages" to the brain conflict. One "motion message" comes from the inner ear that controls balance and another "motion message" is from the eyes. During this changes in position caused by travel, these two "motion messages" conflict thereby causing motion sickness. [read more]
Mount-Reback syndrome or Mount' syndrome was named after the doctors who classified it namely Lester Adrian Mount and S. Reback. The disease is a form of Huntington's Chorea, a rare hereditary disease affecting various muscular and nervous systems in the body. Mount's syndrome passes to roughly 50% of the offspring and shares many of the same symptoms of Chorea. Chorea however is more severe and the shared symptoms may be caused by different factors. Persons with the disease experience attacks lasting for a few minutes to several hours when they are awake. Said attacks are most severe at an early or young ages and the symptom tend to lessen as the person grows. The reason for this is unknown. [read more]
A form of irregular heartbeat in which the ventricle contracts prematurely, ventricular premature beat (VPB) or extrasystole is also known as premature ventricular contraction (PVC). The disorder may be perceived as a ?skipped beat? or as palpitations. PVCs are said to be a natural probe since they induce Heart rate turbulence whose characteristic can be measured and utilized to evaluate cardiac function. [read more]
Multiple sclerosis is a chronic, inflammatory, and demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system. It also known as disseminated sclerosis or encephalomyelitis, which onset, usually occurs in young adults and more common among women. The disease was first described in 1868 by Jean-Martin Charcot. [read more]
Referring to a group of genetic and hereditary muscle disease that cause progressive muscle weakness, muscular dystrophies are characterized by progressive skeletal muscle weakness defects in muscle proteins, and the death of muscle cells and tissue. There are nine diseases that are classified as muscular dystrophies namely Duchenne, Becker, limb girdle, congenital, facioscapulohumeral, myotonic, oculopharyngeal, distal, and Emery-Dreifuss. [read more]
Myoclonus epilepsy is a type of brain function disturbance characterized by epileptic seizures, muscle twitching or myoclonus, and other serious symptoms. [read more]
Naegleria pertains to a rare infection caused by an amoeba called Naegleria fowleri which invades the brain, causing inflammation and destroying the brain tissue. [read more]
Nephrocalcinosis is a condition wherein calcium salt deposits affect the function of the kidney. The condition is most commonly seen as an incidental finding for medullary sponge kidney through an x-ray of the abdomen. [read more]
Paraneoplastic syndromes particularly that of the nervous system is a result of the body's reaction to the presence of cancer or to substances that an existing tumor located in the nervous system may produce. [read more]
Neurocysticercosis pertains to an infection of the central nervous system caused by the larva of a pork tapeworm known as Taenia solium. [read more]
Neurofibromatosis type 2 is an inherited disorder. It is also known as MISME Syndrome (Multiple Inherited Schwannomas, Meningiomas, and Ependymomas). This disease is characterized by the development of symmetric, benign tumors in the portion of the auditory-vestibular nerve. This nerve is the one responsible for conveying sensory information coming from the inner ear to the brain. [read more]
Neuroma is a term generally used to describe any swelling or inflammation of a nerve, but more specifically used in reference to a tumor (usually benign) growing in the nerve cells. [read more]
It is a common ?silent? liver disease. It is similar to alcoholic liver disease but it occurs in individuals who drink little or no alcohol. Its distinctive feature is fat in the liver with swelling and injury. Most individuals do not feel or are not aware that they have a problem in the liver. [read more]
Obesity in children is a form of malnutrition in which a child becomes extremely overweight. Obesity can be the cause of problems in maintaining balance as well as growth development of the physical and internal organs of child's body. [read more]
Pancreatic Islet Cell Neoplasms develop into two different categories: the nonfunctional and functional varieties. However, most cases of this medical condition are found functional, which means the neoplasms secrete hormonal products into the patient's bloodstream, leading to the development of more recognizable symptoms. [read more]
Paraneoplastic syndromes pertain to a range of rare diseases that develop in some cancer patients, most commonly in cases of lung, breast, or ovarian cancer. Paraneoplastic syndromes may occur in the skin, blood, kidneys, joints, and nervous system. [read more]
Parcopresis is also known as shy bowel syndrome. This is a psychological disorder of a person who doesn't seem to get to remove their bowels or defecate in other places' comfort rooms but their own where they feel a certain level of privacy. [read more]
Pellagra is a vitamin deficiency disease caused by dietary lack of niacin (B3) and protein, especially proteins containing the essential amino acid tryptophan. Because tryptophan could be converted into niacin, foods with tryptophan but without niacin, such as milk, prevent pellagra. But, if dietary tryptophan is diverted into protein production, niacin deficiency may still result. [read more]
Perilymph fistula, or PLF, is an abnormal opening in the fluid-filled inner ear. Possible places where PLF can occur are: between the middle ear/mastoid sinus, the intracranial cavity, other spaces in the temporal bone, or the bone of the ear called the otic capsule. In most cases it is a tear in thin membranes called oval window and round window, between the middle and inner ears. Perilymph fistula is generally considered a rare disorder and may occur in one or both ears. [read more]
Peripheral neuropathy is the term used to describe damage to the nerves in the peripheral nervous system. The damage may be bue to diseases involving the nerve due to side-effects of some systemic illness. The damage or Peripheral neuropathies may vary on how they are presented and how it originated. [read more]
Persistent truncus arteriosus is otherwise known as Truncus arteriosus. This is an extremely rare congenital heart disease usually present at birth. The embryological structure which is named truncus arteriosus didn't properly divide into two parts which is the aorta and the pulmonary artery. [read more]
Placental abruption is a pregnancy complication in which the placental lining has separated from mother's uterus. [read more]
Postpartum depression is a type of depression occurring in women soon after having a baby. It occurs in 15% of women, usually after a few months upon delivery. A person experiencing postpartum depression worries about her baby's health continuously, develops negative thoughts towards the baby and experiences fears about harming the baby. Obviously, women with postpartum depression may become incapable of taking care of their babies. When women with postpartum depression become suicidal, she may try to kill her baby and other children, thinking that she wouldn't want to abandon them once she successfully commits suicide. [read more]
Primary lateral sclerosis is a progressive degenerative characterized by progressive muscle weakness present in the voluntary muscles. The disease belongs to the category of motor neuron diseases; which usually develops when nerve cells responsible for voluntary muscle movement degenerate and die. [read more]
Sensory integration disorder or dysfunction is a neurological disorder resulting from the brain's inability to process information received by the body's five basic sensory systems. [read more]
Progressive supranuclear palsy also known as Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome is a disorder of the brain resulting to severe problems with regards to walking, balance, and eye movements. [read more]
This is a disease where in cancer happens in a gland in the male reproductive system which is known as prostrate. This happens when prostrate cells mutate and start to multiply uncontrollably. [read more]
Pseudomembranous colitis is the inflammation of the large intestine due to the use of antibiotics, which disrupt the balance of good and bad bacteria causing the harmful microorganisms to increase and spread in the colon. It is sometimes referred to as antibiotic-associated colitis or C. difficile colitis. [read more]
Reactive hypoglycemia is characterized by recurrent episodes of symptomatic hypoglycemia that occur within 2-4 hours after ingesting a high carbohydrate meal. The condition is believed to be a consequence of excessive insulin release triggered by glucose overload that persist even after the glucose from the meal has been digested or disposed by the body. Literally, hypoglycemia is low blood sugar. Most forms of hypoglycemia occur while fasting. However, reactive hypoglycemia is one that occurs right after eating a meal. [read more]
Schilder's Disease otherwise known as the Diffuse Myelinoclastic Sclerosis is a type of neurodegenerative disease tjhat manifest throough pseudotumoural demyelinating lesions and is considered as one of the borderline of multiple sclerosis. [read more]
Schizoaffective disorder is a kind of schizophrenia associated with other psychiatric disorders. A person with a schizoaffective disorder can also show signs of mania as well as depression. This condition can also go with other schizophrenic conditions such as schizopherniform and schizotypal disorders. [read more]
Temporal lobe seizure is a type of complex partial seizure that is usually localized to one part of the brain. [read more]
Sensorineural hearing loss is hearing loss caused by damage to the auditory nerve or the cochlea, which is the part of the brain that processes sound. It may be present at birth or congenital. It may also be acquired as a result of aging, excessive noise, diseases like meningitis. [read more]
Shy-Drager syndrome is a degenerative neurological disorder affecting the brain and other parts of the nervous system specifically the autonomic nervous system. The disorder is identified and was named after Dr. Milton Shy and Dr.Glen Drager; two researchers who described the syndrome in 1960. Patients with Shy-Drager syndrome experience wide ranging damage to the autonomic nervous system, the part of the nervous system responsible for controlling involuntary functions. [read more]
Social phobia is also referred to as social anxiety. This disorder causes social anxiety or stress which makes the sufferer incapable to function in at least several areas of everyday life. Sufferers have a constant fear of being judged by other people and being embarrassed or disgraced with their actions. This disorder can actually arise from being actually scrutinized by others. Some sufferers turn to drugs or alcohol to decrease panic and embarrassment in social gatherings. [read more]
Spinal Stenosis is narrowing of the spinal canal. This condition puts pressure on the spinal cord. If the narrowing is located on the lower part of the spinal cord, it is referred to as lumbar spinal stenosis. Cervical spinal stenosis refers to the narrowing on the upper part of the spinal cord. However, there are also cases wherein stenosis can be found in any part of the spine. [read more]
Steele-Richardson-Olszewski syndrome, also known as progressive supranuclear palsy is a disorder of the brain that causes problems with walking, balance, and eye movements. [read more]
Temporal lobe seizure is a type of complex partial seizure that is usually localized to one part of the brain. [read more]
Temporomandibular joint dysfunction (TJD), also known as myofacial pain dysfunction, is problematic state of the jaw muscles used for chewing, or of the temporomandibular joint, which links the lower jaw to the rest of the skull. [read more]
Tonic-clonic seizure, also known as grand mal seizure, is a condition in which an individual lose consciousness and experience violent muscle contractions. [read more]
Torticollis, or wry neck, is a condition in which the head is tilted toward one side, and the chin is raised and turned toward the opposite side. [read more]
Transient ischemic attack is a temporary or intermittent neurological event, which serves as a warning of an impending stroke. [read more]
Travel sickness, also known as motion sickness, is a psychosomatic disorder wherein people are subject to yawing, pitching and swaying motions. This can be observed while traveling in ships, airplanes and even in automobiles. [read more]
Tyrosinemia is a genetic disorder characterized by elevated blood levels of the amino acid tyrosine. Tyrosine is a building block of most proteins. There are three types of tyrosinemia namely Type I, Type II, and Type III. [read more]
It is a genetic disorder where in it is caused by a lack of one of the enzymes in the urea cycle that is responsible for getting rid of ammonia from the blood stream. [read more]
Urethral Syndrome otherwise known as the Frequency-Dysuria syndrome is a medical condition that is characterized by frequency, dysuria and suprapubic discomfort without any finding of urological abnormalities. [read more]
Urinary System Cancer is a the cancer that affects the urinary system that is consist of the ureter, bladder and kidneys which regulates the water and chemical balance in the body. [read more]
Usher syndrome is probably the most common condition that affects both hearing and vision. Usher syndrome also has three clinical types: type 1, type 2, and type 3. The most common types in the United States are type 1 and type 2. They account for approximately 90 to 95 percent of all cases of children who have Usher syndrome. [read more]
Vaginitis is the swelling of the vagina, which is the female genital, that can lead to discharge, pain and itching. There are common types of vaginitis which are bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection, trichomoniasis and atrophic vaginitis. [read more]
Vaginitis is characterized as the inflammation of the vagina, which can often result to discharges, as well as itching and pain. Vaginitis is usually triggered by the change in the normal balance of vaginal bacteria or caused by an infection. [read more]
Vestibular Neuronitis sometimes referred to as the vestibular neuropathy, is a medical condition characterized by an acute and sustained dysfunctioning of the peripheral vestibular system accompanied by nausea and vertigo. [read more]
Vitamin B12 deficiency is the deficiency which usually result from the failure of the digestive tract to absorb Vitamin B12 or Cobalomin which is necessary for making red blood cells and which is responsible for keeping the nervous system functioning. It is said that this deficiency may cause irreversible damage to the person's nerve (Insel, P., Turner, E., Ross, D. (2005). Discovering Nutrition, Jones and Bartlett Publishers, p. 353). [read more]
Water intoxication is also referred to as hyperhydration or simply water poisoning. It is the potential disturbance of the brain function where in normal balance of electrolytes is forced outside of safe limits by water. It is also the extreme retention of water with sodium reduction. [read more]
Weil Syndrome, otherwise known as the Leptospirosis or the canicola fever, canefield fever, nanukayami fever or the 7-day fever among other names, is a bacterial zoonotic disease which affects both human and animals like mammals, reptile, amphibians and birds. It is an infection that is commonly transmitted to human through allowing fresh water that is contaminated with animal urine to came in contact with the broken skin. It was first observed in 1907 from a post mortem renal tissue slice (Stimson AM (1907). "Note on an organism found in yellow-fever tissue." Public Health Reports 22:541). [read more]
Xanthine oxydase deficiency otherwise known as the Xanthinuria, is a genetic disorder which causes deficiency of xanthine oxidase which is an enzyme that is needed for converting the xanthine to uric acid. [read more]
Xanthinuria otherwise known as the Xanthine oxydase deficiency , is a genetic disorder which causes deficiency of xanthine oxidase which is an enzyme that is needed for converting the xanthine to uric acid. [read more]